Surface marking apparatus



G. H. cHARNocK SURFACE MARKING APPARATUS Filed Deo.

19, 1934 6 sheets-sheet 1 INVENT OR.

'QPS Mc ATToRNEYs A June 22, 1937.

June 22, 1937- G. H. cHARNocK SURFACE MARKING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 19,1934 e sheets-sheet 2 l IIU v Il llllhmvlnl lvm...

Il vL I l l I l l I l I. L l I I l Il.. 1HE IGLH ATTORNEYS June 1937- G.H. cHARNocK 2,084,319

' SURFACE MARKING APPARATUS lFiled Dec. 19, 1954 e sheets-sheet s@50,965 HFA/kr Elink/vaak ATTORNEYS June 22, 1937 G. H., :I-I.L\R|\1oc|SURFACE MARKING ,APPARATUS Filed Deo'. 19, '1954 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 NSA iTVS ATTORNEYS June 22, 1937. Q H, CHARNOCK 2,084,319

v ISURFACE MARKING APPARATUS I Filed Dec. 19, 1954 e sheets-sheet 5ATTRNEYS June 22, 1937.

G. H. CHARNOCK SURFACE ,MARKING APPARATUS l 6 sheets-sheet e Filed Deo.19, 1954 TINVENTOR. 6m/Pu H F/vr CHAPA/06K ATTORNEYS Patented June l212,1937 l UNITED STATES PATENT ori-ics SURFACE MAnxmG APPAnA'rUs GeorgeHenry Charnock, Builalo, N. Y., assignor to Certain-Teed ProductsCorporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Maryland ApplicationDecember 19, 1934, serial Neustarts 3v claims.' (ci. 10i-35) have theiredges pressed against a resisting sur- -face without suchcieforn'lation.v

This invention relates to methods of and apparatus for marking thesurface of sheet matetransverse edges of a sheet, has been accom-lplished inv many ways including the method of l passing the sheet incircumferential contact with a rotating printing device, said sheetbeing guided and fed so that the printed area and particular pointsthereof are in predetermined relation to the edges of the sheet.y Theguidingk of the sheet has been accomplished by feeding the sheet withone edge thereof in contact with a xed guide means.

'I'he present invention is concerned with a particular method, andapparatus for carrying out this method, of feeding a sheet or a seriesof sheets into contact witha marking or printing device so as to printor impress a mark upon the surface o f the sheet in a predeterminedrelation to the lateral edge of the sheet. 'I'he invention is alsoconcerned with the feeding of vthe sheet in a predetermined relation tothe motion of the rotating device so as to print or mark upon the sheetin a predetermined relation `thereto lengthwise of 'the feeding motion.-i

The invention has particular application to the marking of panels" ofcovering material, such as wall board, whether made of fibrous materialsor of plaster, such as plaster board made of calcined gypsum and usuallycovered with a covering of paper. sheets of material whether of definite'or indelinite length and is particularly useful in connection withpanelsof wall board or other covering material which haven` certaindegree of stiffness although not necessarily rigid, and preferably havea thickness suflicient to provide a' subjstantial bearing of the edge'of the vpanel against va guiding means. Wall boards manufactured fromcellulose ber and plasterwboards of cal- 'cined gypsum with a papercasing .usually are somihtilexiblebut are sufliciently 'stiff to bemoved in the plane of the board without 55 excessive bending o rcrumpling thereof and may The invention is applicable to The inventionwill be' described in connection with an important application thereofin'the manufacture and useof such wall board materials although theinvention is not limited' to such 'materials andthe method of applyingmarks thereto may be utilized on sheet materials of various kinds and ofvarious degrees o f stiffness and of thickness. Y

Wall board materials whether of fiber or of plaster usually are of suchsize as to cover a plu- `rallty'of studs orotherl supports or points offastening the wall board upon the structure. In

common practice wall boards having a width of 32", 36" and 48" and alength of from 6 to 12 feet have been used. Dimculty has beenexperienced in fastening boards of this size in both dimensions, or evenin only one dimension, be-r cause it is impossible to see where to drivethe nails into the studding or otherwise insert fasteners to contact ormeet the desired point ofi` fastening beneath the panel. Heretofore ithas been proposed by others 'v to mark upon the surface of such a panela line or a series of dots,

in a predetermined relation tothe edges of the panel so as to providemarked points for fastenlng the panel upon the intermediate studs orsupports. The present invention in its more particular embodiment andapplication is concerned with the method of and the apparatus for makingsuch marks upon the surface Aof sheets or of wall-"panels in apredetermined relation tothe lateral edges thereof and in a certain moreor less defined but neverthelessl predetermined relation to thedimension in the direction generally.K

parallelto the lateral edges.

According to my invention I so `move such'a sheet or panel generallysubstantially in' the l planethereof and, in the case of sheets ofregular shape or of. predetermined dimension, in a -directiongenerallyparallel to the one edge thereof, which edge, for thepurposes of thepresent description, maybe defined as a lateral edge. I so effect thismotion as. to move the sheet or panel toward and into. contact with aprinting or marking device which will printor -make amark upon thesurface or face of the sheet or panel. In additiontothis forward orfeeding motion-of the panel, andl preferably simultaneously therewith, Ialso effect amot'ion ofthe panel substantially lin the plane thereoflaterally of said forward motion and in the di-'.

rection outwardly of the panel-from a'. lateral vedge thereof.This'lateral motion of the panel ist is so effected as to move the panelinto a position from which it may move forward in predeterminedalignment` with the marking or printing device. I may so eect thismovement as to bring the edge of the panel against a guide,

which guide is so positioned and so arranged that, upon forward movementof the panel generally parallel to the lateral edge thereof, said panelis guided into contact with the printing or marking device land the markis printed or made upon the face of the panel in a predeterminedrelation to the lateral edge thereof.' Preferably the lateral movementof the panel is effected during the rst part of the forward motion ofthe panel toward'the printing device and is arrested upon contact withsaid guiding means, that is, when the panel, preferably withoutinterrupting its forward motion, has come into the desired alignmentwith the marking'device.

Especially in the manufacture of wall boards, and more particularly inthe manufacture of plaster board by the method in which a continuoussheet of plaster board is delivered and the panels are cut oil'successively from the delivered end of the sheet, the delivered positionof the l panels in a directionlaterally of the lateral edges thereof mayvary with the successive or different panels. The sheet of material asit passes through the wall board or plaster board machine weaves"laterally of the length of the sheet and if provision were not made forsecuringy properalignment of the panels with the markingy device theIdesired predetermined relation of the mark on the face of the panel tothe lateral edge thereof would not be secured. In order that thisdesired alignment shall be obtained according to my invention I moveeach of the panels after.,

being cut off from the delivery end of the sheet laterally of itslateral edge in excess of the fweave which is experienced with theparticular apparatus and type of product being manufactured. Thus I amnot only able to move the 'panel into the desired line 'of motionthereof as it alignment and at other times in the opposite lateraldirection to offset the weave of the sheet in the `different directionswith respect to an average position.

By thus moving the panel in excess oi' the y weave of the sheet I amable to adapt para ticular means hereafter to be described for effectinga continuous forward motion of the panel and a simultaneous lateralmotion thereof. The means for producing these .motions may be arrangedso as to bias the sheet or panel to move laterally and to cooperate withthe guiding means, and particularly that form of it to be describedhereafter, Ato secure the desired motion in prede# termined alignmentwith the marking device while controlling the. motion of the panel bothlaterally. of its lateral edges and in the forward direction.

' feature of the invention is particularly adapted to the printing uponthe face of a wall board panel of va series of marks at substantiallypre- Y thereof.

determined intervals and substantially in a-presuch marked or printedpanels that', not only shall alignment of the spaced marks be securedand that it shall be suillciently accurate so that the nails will enterthe'studs, but that the spacing of the marks lengthwise of the line,that is,

lengthwise of the stud, shall be without greatv variation. 'I'hisaccuracy is desirable so that. a predetermined spacing of the nails inthe studs may be secured by driving the nails either at every mark, ifsuch close spacing is necessary, or at every second or third or otherselected interval determined by the marks. It is thus desirable and myinvention accomplishes substantially a uni form spacing' of the marksand with a panel of predetermined length thus may accomplish4 asubstantially predetermined relationof the line of spaced marks as awhole upon Ithe panel, in the direction lengthwise thereof. In order toaccomplish these defined relations of the marksupon the panel accordingto my invention I positively drive the printing device in apredetermined relation to the means for positively moving theA sheet inthe forward direction;

By positive movement of the panel as referred to above I mean a movementeffected by posistuds in a framed structure, especially structures lframed with studs of wood or other material into' I which nails may bedriven. -It is desirable in tively acting means but thislmeans may be ofsuch construction and may .be so arranged in relation to the panel andmay have the driving power so applied thereto that some slippage -orlost motion may occur in the mechanism 'or between its parts in orderthat the slippage of the parts of the mechanism in contact with the faceor edge of theA panel may be minimized'or prevented. Such slippage orrubbing ofthe parts upon the face of the panel may mar the surface Theinvention'also contemplates particular de- -vices for producing thedesired motions of the printing vmarks upon the face of the sheet, de-

vices for controlling the pressure of such application and the ,amountof inking material applied to the printing member, means for readilybringing the. printing device into operationor for taking it out ofoperation, for'preparing the surfaces of the sheet -forV the printing,for renewing the ink vsupply while maintaining operation of the printingdeviceand other means hereafter to be described. .The invention may beapplied to existing wall board and plaster board apparatus so as tocarry out the 'process in continuity with the regular wall -board orplaster board manufacturing operation.V y l Q The invention contemplatespositive 'movement or the panel in the forwardand lateral directions, asabove described, but under such control that a substantially uniformforward motion of the panel is effected in the position of alignmentwith the marking device. Moreover, especially with panels of sufficientstiffness such as is possessed by wall panels of ber or of plaster, thispositive motion or drive of the panel may be utilized to move a mov- Lable guiding means or a part thereof which is movable in the forwarddirection. The particular arrangement of such means will be hereafterldescribed but by this means the friction which the positively drivenwall board must overcome is materially reduced or eliminated and thusthe alignment is maintained and uniform forward motion of the panel issecured. In order to secure the.

positive motion of the means for moving thepanel I provide devices forsecuring a substantially uniform application of the power necessary .todrive the panel. j A The invention contemplates various adjustments ofthe devices utilized and of the structure for supporting these deviceswhich make possible the printing or marking of sheets or panels ofvarious widths and with the marks or with the line o f marks indifferent though predetermined rela' tions to the lateral edges of thepanel.

The invention will be more particularly described in connection with thedrawings in which Figure 1 shows a longitudinal elevation of a portionof a wall board machineembodying the features of the invention; y

Figure 2 is a plan view of the portion of the machine shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a section online 4-v-4 of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a plan view of the guiding means;Figure 6 is an enlarged cross section on line 6-6 of Figures 1 and 2; v

Figure 7 is a portion,in enlarged scale, of the plan view of Figure 2;

Figure 8 is -a section on line 8-8 of Figure 7; Figure 9 shows thesection of the printing device on line 9-9 of Figure 1;

Figure 10 shows a section on line-lll-IU of Figure 9; l

Figure 11 shows a section on line lI--Il vof Figure 9; e

Figure 12 shows `in section a detail of the printing device.

Figure 13 shows ya detail of a portion of'the apparatus. i

In the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in thedrawings in Figures 1 to 8 the portion of a plaster board machineoverwhich the plaster boards pass, after being cut ofi from the continuoussheet I delivered from the fabricating portion of the machine, has beenmodified to include the devices which are features" of the presenti/nvention and which effect the carrying out'ofhe process of theinvention. In Figure 1 the knife 3 shown at the right hand of the figureis part of the regular plaster board machine and,

' 7'5" stantially tangent to the line of delivery of the' under face ofthe panel 5. These rollers, in the normal apparatus, lare spaced on suchcenters and are 'of such diameter as properly to support the board as itmoves forward from the knife 3.y In the apparatus of the presentinvention these rollers also are spaced on such centers and asv well aremade of such diameter that not only is the proper support given to theboard but suffi` cient contact with the board is provided so that, whensaid rollers 'l are positively driven by means y hereafter td bedescribed, a positive driving contact with the board is secured in orderthat it may be positively moved forward and so that its motion and itsrate of motion are positively controlled. Thus, the board maybe moved inrelation to the printing device, hereafter to be described, in apositivemanner and so that the marks to be printed thereon may beprinted in a atan angle other than a right angle to the line of motion or of feed ofthe panel. Thus, the circumferential delivery ofthe rollers 1 is at anangle to the general forward line of motion of the panel .v and by thismeans the panels, in addition to their forward motion, are given amotion toward one I side of the apparatus. It Will be noted from Figure2 that sufficient rollers in the skewed posi-y tion are provided betweenthe knife 3 and the portion of the machine toward which the panel is tobe delivered so that, as 'the panel passes over said rollers '1, it maybe moved a substantial distance laterally of the forward motion of thepanel. In the particular apparatus illustrated in Figlure 2, seventeenof these rollers are provided in opportunity is given to'move the panellaterallyv of its forward motion a distance, for example, of 1 to 3inches. In order to accomplish a lateral motionV of the panel of thisamount the rollers 'l thus may be set at such an angle that in each footof length of the roller one end of said foot of length is forwardlypositioned with respect to the other end of said foot of length'adistance of,

vfor'vexample, A inch to 1/2 inch. These relations may be varied to suitdifferent conditions and different kinds of panels as to the Weight ofthe panel and the type of surface of the sheet.

The amount of lateral motion which it is desirable shall be given tofthesheet is determined in part by the amount of weave of the sheet i as itis delivered from the fabricating portion of the plaster board machine.The selected amount -of the lateral movement of the panel 5 preferablyis such as to exceed the extreme amount of weave or other variation ,ofthe sheet `I. This selected amount of lateral movement determines acothe position of the guiding means I which lncludes the supportingchannel member I1 extending parallel to the forward line of motion ofthe panel. As illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 the face of the guidingmeans I5, which in the particular embodiment illustrated is in the formof a flexible belt or band passing over rolls I9 having flanges A `tion,may beso effected that substantially the edge 8 of the panel ismaintained parallel to the forward line of movement or the longitudinallinev of the apparatus untilthe edge 6 of said panel4 contacts with theface of the belt orband I5. In some cases, however, it may be desirableto move one end of the panel more or less rapidly toward the guidingmeans than the other. This maybe accomplished by suitable' angularsetting of the skewed rollers in relation to each other. The length ofthe belt or band I5 preferably is such as to extend beyond the spaceoccupied by the skewed rollers so that, as the panel is moved forward,guiding thereof is continued until the panel is in contactwiththeprinting device andY is under the control of the positively drivenrollers 8 and of the belts I0 passing thereover.

In the particular apparatus illustrated in th drawings the belt or bandlI5 is arranged as an endless band passing over the rolls I9, which arepositioned in general alignment parallel to the line of motion of thepanel, each of said rolls being mountedon a vertical stud' 2l and beingheld upon the shank 22 of 2said stud in free running relation theretobya washer-'23 and a nut 24, as illustrated in Figure 6. In order thatthe circumferences of the' rolls I9 all may be tangent to a. commonstraight line parallel to the longitudinal dimension of the apparatus,that is, the line of forward motion of lthe panel, the shank 22 isformed eccentric to the portion 25 of the stud 2 I, which is fastened tothe channel-member I1 by the nut 26. Thus the stud 2| may be rotated inthe hole -in the member I1 throughA which the shouldered portion 25passes in order' to move the shank 22 into different positions laterallyof the general alignment-of the studs I I or band I 5 so that as thepanel 5 is moved there- 'band I5 is secured.

In the particular embodiment illustrated no means isl provided forpositively driving the rolls I 9.' Under the" impulse and forwardmovement given to the panel 5 by.the rollers 1 and in view of-the firmand uniform contact with the belt I5- secured bythe arrangement abovedescribed and also in view of the design of the rolls I9 and between theedge 6 of the-panel 5 and said belt I5.

Thus is secured a uniform forward movement of linto contact with theprinting device.

apparatus whichis adjacent the cutter 3. The

belt 30 then passes over sheaves 34, 35 and 38, which are utilized tomaintain a substantial ten'- sion in the belt by means hereafter to bedescribed. The belt 30 then extends to and over ,the flanged pulley 31from which it passes over the flanged pulley 33 and then into contactwith the rollers 1 as above mentioned. In order to -effet the positivevdrive of the band 38 power is transmitted as shown in Figures 1, 3 and4to the iiange pulley 31 by a shaft 3.8 upon which the flange pulley 31-is mounted, upon which shaft also is fastened a pulley 39 driven'bycrossed belt 40 receiving its power from a pulley 4I mounted on theshaft 42, which, as a main drive shaft fory this portion of theapparatus, receives its power through the belt 43 from a shaft 44 drivenfrom lthe main fabricating portion of the apparatus.

band or belt 30 may be taken up so that a proper drivng tension may besecured in this belt. In

'order to eifect such a take-up the sheaves 34 and 36 are mounted uponbearings which are fixed in Upon a bracket 50 depending from ahorizontal vangle of relation to the frame 9 of the machine.

the frame 9 of the machine is mounted a journal 5I carrying a stud 52upon which is pivoted'or piece 55 is the connecting rod 51 which passeslthrough the fiange 58 of an angle Amember 59 asv of the frame 9. Bearingagainst the under side of the flange 58 `is a nut 88 threaded upon the.

rod 59. By turning the vnut 80 asit bears against the flange 58 lthe rodv51 may be pulled downward thus causing the sheave 35 to be drawn downand thus to take up the slack in the band so. n l' will be apparent thatin thus taking up the slack the band 30 is caused to contact lwithgreater pressure against the under side of the rollers 1, thecircumferencesof the ange pulleys 32 and other and with the' lowercircumferential portions of the rollers 1 that the desired contact iseffected.

For the purpose` of causing the belt or band 38 to contact with therollers 1 for a sufficient circumferential distance to secure a positivedriving contact and pressure upon the rollers 1 by' the band 30 Iutilize sheaves 10 positioned between certain of the rollers 1 andcontacting with the under side of the belt or band 30. As shown inFigures 3, '7 and 8, these sheaves 10 are provided with flanges 1I whichserve to maintain the belt in proper alignment upon these sheaves.,Sheaves .at right angles to the airis of the' rollers in order 18 aresupported in freerunning relation to a stud 12`having a shoulder andfastened in an arm 14 by means of a nut 16. The stud at its outer end isthreaded and provided with a nut 18 lwhich acts to maintain the sheaves18 upon the stud 12. 'Ihe am 14 is formed at its inner end to bear upona xed shaft 88 to which, by means of bolts -l 8| and nuts 82 and theclamp piece 83, the arm 14 of the degree of contact of the sheaves 18with the belt 38 for the purpose just described, therefore, may be madeto secure the desired degree of positive driving contact of the belt orband 88 with the rollers 1. The degree of tension'in the bolts 8| andnuts 82 of the arm 14.

belt 38 additionally may be controlled and adjusted, as described above,by means of the nut 68 andl the rod 51 to move the sheave 36, aftersetting and adjustment of the sheaves 18 has been effected'.

y In Figures 'I and Bis shown depending from the shaft 88 an arm 86which may be clamped upon theyshaft 88 by a clamping piece 81 and bolts88 and `nuts 89 similar to the lclamping piece 88 and The lower end o fthe arm 88 is provided with a ,stud 98 fastened in the arm 86 by a setscrew 8|, said stud passing through a hole in a bar 92, which bar isretained upon the stud'98 by cotter pin 98 passing through the stud 98.As shown in Figure 1 the arms 86 of the several tension devices carryingthe sheave 18 may be connected togetherby said bar 92, which bar, at itsextreme end, may be formed to pass through a plate at the end f theapparatus adjacent the knife 8. Said bar 92 conveniently may be soformed as to have the end thereof threaded for the nut 96, by means ofwhich the bar 82 may be moved toward the right in order to rotate inthe. bearings 84 vthe shaft 88 to which the arms 86 and 14,are clamped,

thus to press the sheaves 18 with greater force against the under sideof the belt 38. Whenlthis arrangement is used theset screws 86, by meansof which the shaft 488 may be held in fixed posi- 'tion as abovedescribed, are removed so that the .the adjustments described may be solimited or controlled that, while providing substantially positivedriving contact of thebelt or band 88 with the roller 1, there also issecured the possibility of slight slippage of the band 38in contact withthe roller 1 or between other parts of the #driving mechanism so a's toprevent suchV an amount of slippage of the roller 1 upon 'the face ofthe panel 6 as would cause marring of said face. It will be noted in theplan view of Figure 2 1 that the belt 80 is placed at an angle'to thelis has been suggested above the degree of tension produced by thatthese rollers shall be givenfull driving contact with the belt. In orderthat this belt may be run at said angle to the longitudinal line of themachine the pulley'38 also may be set at an angle as shown in Figures 2and 4. A slight twist may be given to the portion ofthe belt extendingvertically from the pulley 31 to the flange pulley 33, thus obviatingthe necessity of also skewing` the shaft ,38 `from which the flangepulley 81 receives its power, this shaft transmitting the power from thefabricating end of the machine as above described.

' In Figure 3, some of the-rollers 8, which are positioned square withthe line of the'delivery of the board, also are yshown contacted by thebelt 88. A flanged sheave 18, carried by an arm 14, may be arranged asdescribed above in relation to the rollers 8. Thus positive ,motion mayalso be given to the rollers 8 which are contacted by said belt 38. Thetwo rollers 8 of the particular arrangement illustrated .whichare socontacted, however, are part of a serieslof'rollers 8, as shown inFigures 2 and 3 4in contact with which pass the belts I8. This set ofbelts is supported by the rollers 8 and acts to move the board past theprintingdevice and to deliver the board, after the printing operation,to the portion ,of the machine which carries `out the subsequentoperation. The belts I8 pass toward the left to a set'of pulleys notshown, from which they return under the machine to the pulleys |88mounted on the shaft l42 and then pass again to the rollers 8. A s theshaft 42 is\positively driven, as above described, the belts I8 arepositively driven, wihich. belts, in -contacting the rollers 8,positively turn `these rollers upon their axes. It will bel understood,however, in the apparatus being described, that the board as it is beingprinted and also subsequent to the printving operation is carriedon andborne by the vbelts I8 supported by the rollers 8.4 'Ihe size of thepulleys |88 is so selected in relation to the speed of the shaft 42 thatthe speed of the`belts I8 may be substantially the same as thecircumferential speed of the rollers 1 in' order that the rate offorward movement of the panel 6 shall be continued uniformly' as itpassesfrom the control ofI the rollers 1 into the zone where it restsupon the belts I8.

While, as describedv above, driving movement may be given 'from the belt88 to some-or all of the `rollers 8, this driving movement in allcasesis not necessary and the rollers 8 may be driven entirely by the beltsI8. When the :speeds of j the `belts I8, however, and of the belt 38 areproperly secured, uniform speed of the panel forward under the guidanceofthe belt I6 maybe effected ,so as to secure the alignment of themounted in bearing brackets |84 may be so positioned that the panel'mustpass thereunder and in contact therewith so that the printing device,

acting from below the belts I8, substantially may.

act against acounter surface.

- Although in Figure 3 the belts I8 are shown passing over thefourrollers 8 as these belts move from the pulleys |88, in some casesthese belts may pass from the'pulleys |88, for example to only the twoleft hand rollers 8 of the Figure -3. The drive of the two right handrollers, 8 then would be affected by the belt 88, as de- CII belts l0and the belt 30 may be utilized.

In order that the rollers 1 and 3 shall perform y their functions ofsupportingthe panel,.of supporting the belts I0 and 30 passing thereoveror in contact therewith and of transmitting the motion received fromthese belts, it is desirable that they shall turn easily on their axeswhile being firmly positioned with respect to the supporting framework9. For this purpose in one form of the apparatus for carrying out theinvention I utilize rollers having a shaft or rod4 passing axiallytherethrough upon which shaft or rod 4 is mounted a' roller bearing ofcommon type having the outer race thereof fitted to the innercircumference of a hollow cylinder forming the roller, the inner race ofthe roller bearing being fitted upon said shaft or rod 4. 'One of suchroller bearings preferably is fitted at each end of the hollow roller.By utilizing such a construction forthe rollers I may easily positionthe rollers in the angular relation to the longitudinalv line of theapparatus by merely setting the ends of said shafts or rods 4 insuitably positioned notches |06 in the horizontal longitudinal 'angleiron members of the frame 9. as shown in Figures 1 and 2. If desired, Imay cut additional notches |06 in saidangle iron members in order toutilize different angular settings in different cases.

while the belt or band It has been described' above as providing thesurface of the guiding means against which the edge 6 of the panel 6bears and together with which it moves,l in some cases I may omit theband l5 and rely on the numerous contacts provided bythe circumferencesof the rolls I0 to effect the proper guiding ofthe panel. As these rollsI3 are free to turn upon the shank 22 of the stud 2| the contact of theedge 6 Aof the board therewith may cause these rolls to turn on saidshank, thus to effect the guiding of the sheet without substantialresistance and with an effective .continuous contactY of the edge withthe guiding means. It will be noted at the left hand of Figure 5 thatrolls I0A are positioned beyond the turn of the belt i5. The extremeleft hand roll I0 over which 'the band I5 passes has the portion 23 ofthe stud 2| passing through a slot 21, as shown in Figure 2.` This rollI9, being movable longitudinally of the channel 1, lmay serve as a meansfor tightening the belt or' band IS. The rolls I8 which are positionedbeyond the band, by umeans of the eccentric shank 22, may have 'theircircumferences brought into alignment with the face vof the belt I5. Incase the band or belt I 5 is not used, these rolls I0 may be alignedwith the rolls i9.

At the right hand of Figures 1 and 2 is shown a rotary brush ||0 mountedon a shaft I I I which carries on its end a pulley ||2. 'I'his'shaft I||is v,carried in bearings' ||4 suitably fastened to the frame work 9 ofthe machine so as to posi- -tion the brush" I I0 below the plane ofmovement ,tion to clean and removeV from the under surface of the panelany dirt or particles of yplaster or of fiber from the paper facing oflthe plaster f board. Thiscleaning operation is effected in or.-

der that thesurface may be ready for printing .scribed above. In somecases, however. greater .or less overlapping of the zone of action ofthe as soon asv'the panel is moved forwa'i tothe printing device.

At |20 in Figure 1 is shown a box-like- `member` Extending`A`Apositioned below the roller |02.' through the side of the box |20 is ashaft |*22 having fastened thereto a flange pulley |24 which is drivenby the belt |26 passing over pulley |21 fastened on the shaft 42. Thusthe shaft |22 is driven in a. predetermined relation to the drivingmechanism `of the fabricating portion of the plaster board machine andalso, in view of the connections, through the belts 40, 30 and I0 isdriven in a substantially constant relation to the means for moving thepanels of the plaster board or wall board forward longitudinallythereof. As hereafter will be described, motion of the 4shaft |22produces g a predetermined motion of the printing device so as toimpress upon the sheet a mark or a series of marks, such as a line ofdots.

'In viewiofA this predetermined relationI of the printing deviceY tosaid shaft |22, which will be more fully described' hereafter, and inview of the predetermined relationof .the motion of the shaft |22 to themeans for moving the panel toward the printing device, asdescribedrabove,A

these marks are marked upon the panel substantially in a predeterminedrelation to` each other and to the lengthwise dimension of the panel.

The shaft |22, as shown in Figure 9, extends through holes in the walls|30 of the box '420 and is journaled inbearings A|32 supportedfby thebottom plate' |33 extended beyond the walls k|30` of said box. The box|20 may be mounted upon angle irons |34 for reinforcing the plate |33.`

These angles |34 are joined by plates |30 to angle irons |31, the parts|34, |36 and |31 forming stiff members beneath the box to transfer` theweight thereof to angle iron members |40, which extend longitudinally ofthe apparatus. 'I'he angle members |40 are pivoted upon the shaft or|46longitudinally of the angle members |40. As

shown in Figure 10, byv means of standards |48, which may be supportedby the framework 3 or by other 'suitable means, the rod |44 may becaused to bear inv a notch |40 in each cf the standards |40. Thestandard |48 also is cut with a step |50 in such relation to the lengthof the slot |46 thatwhen the rod |44vis moved to vthe left hand end ofthe slot |40, as shown in Figure 10, the rod |44, together with theangles |40 and the structure supported thereby, may move downwardlyuntil the rod |44 rests upon the step |50. When the rod |44 is restingin the notches of the standards |40 the angle members l|40, held' attheir other ends by the shaft |42, provide a substantially Vrigidsupport for the box |20 of the printing device. By means, hereafterto bede'- scribed,.when the box is in suchvposition and with suitableadjustments of the parts of the printing y device," contact of theprinting'surface of the devicewith the under side of the plaster boardor wall board panel may be made. When the rod |44 is moved to the leftend ofthe slot |40, `with a slight lifting ofthe printing device byupward movement of the rod |44 to release it from the notch |49, theprinting device may be lowered out cient to remove it from printing ormarking conproximately 8 tact. This slightmovement in no material wayaffects the distance between the pulleys |24 and |21 so that the belt|26 remains on said pulleys and the printing device may be moved into orout of the operative position at will.

Upon the shaft |22 are mounted in the particular embodiment beingdescribed three ink rolls |which are constructed in the manner to be,described hereafter, but which are fastened to the shaft |22 by means,such as set screws. These ink rolls |55 are positioned in generalalignment and below that point' on the face of the board at which it isdesired to print the mark or line of marks. These ink rolls|55,.thereforeare positioned in general relation to the face of theguide belt i5, or' of the line tangential to the rolls I9 against whichthe edge 6 of .the panel 5 bears during its forward motion into printingposition, determined by the desired relation of the marks to said edge6of the panel 5.' The space between the ink rolls lengthwise of the shaft|22 substantially is determined by the desired spacing of the lines orof the rows of marks or dots upon the panel. In the manufacture of wallboards and of plaster boards, particularly panels of such materialswhich are intended to be 'fastened to wood studding, of which thestandard spacing is 16" centers, these ink rolls |55 may be' positionedupon the shaft |22 spaced upon centers of ap- The printing surfaces, ofwhich the relation to the 4lnk rollsl will be described hereafter, maybe set with suitable exactness on the 8" centers so that va panel whichhas 48" widthv may be marked by the outside printing or marking devicesat 16" fromthe edges of the f panels and at points .'16" apart butsymmetrically with the centerline of the' panel. In order,

however, to take care of stud spaces which sometimes are 24" thecentervinking roll |55 (and its auxiliary devices) is. positioned midwaybetween the outer ink rolls and .at a point offset from the face of thebelt I5 'substantially equal to 24 Thus the outer inkrolls |55 becomepositioned substantially 16" and 32" from. the lineof the face of saidbelt.

The above described arrangements are those vwhich are 4commonly usedforstandard wall pan- .els but, as will be clear from the drawings, theink These variations may be effected to some degree without substantialalteration of the box of the printing device and the parts thereof butin some cases it may be necessary to utilize a different.

` plate |33 for the bottom of the box, and for the top plate 220 in order that the vink rolls |55 and the other parts of the printingmechanism ,may beset at different spaces.

Bearing upon the circumferential surface ofy the ink roll 55 .andsuitably mounted by means hereafter to be described, is the squeeze roll|51, as shown in Figures 9, 10 and-11, the purpose of which isto'control the thickness o'f the lm of ink which is to be transferred tothe printingor marking element. The ink roll |55 dipsinto the ink in Vapan |58 suspended below thevink roll |55 or other suitable means to theplate |33 ofthe box |20, the pansv |58, being provided with flanges vbytracks or .brackets |59 fastened as by welding 1 |60 bearing upon thetracks |59. By means 'of I* a handle |6| the ink pans |58 may bwithdrawn .t I longitudinally thereof. As the tracks or brackets |59, aswell asv the flanges |60, are of 'limited length the pan |58 may bewithdrawn longitudinally thereof a relatively short distance and thenmay be drvopped downwardly so as to remove the pan |58 from the box |20.f The tracks |59, as may be seen from Figure ll., arerelatively short,

while the anges |60 are of greater length so.

that the pan 58 may be. withdrawn,4 for example,

about 3" while the flanges still have bearing. upon the tracks orbrackets |59. The ends |65 of the flanges |60, which are at the end ofthe pan |58 opposite to the'handle |6| are turned down 'so as to form astop to prevent withdrawal of the pan 58 to such a degree that the innerend thereof will drop from its bearing upon the bracket |59. The stop|65, however, is so formed that the -pan may be lifted slightly so thatthe stop |65 may pass over the bracket |59, thus stop |65 for thepurpose of adding ink thereto.

It will be understood from this description that the pan thus may becleaned or refilled and reinserted without demounting or otherwiseinterfering with the printing deviceitseli'.y

The ink roll |55 carries the-ink upwardly,by

rotation in the direction of the arrow,'into contact with the squeezeroll |51 capable-of circumferential movement in the same direction asthat of the ink roll |55 and-'driven by contact with the circumferenceof said ink roll. i The squeeze roll |51 is carried upon a stud |62having a head |63 and a threaded shank |64. The shank |64 passesthrougha hole in theouter end, of the arm |56. Nut |61 draws the stud|62 so that the shoulder thereof bears against the arm |66. The partsare so designed and finished that the squeezeroll |51 is free to turnupon the stud |62. Said squeeze roll is provided with a bushing |68,pref-- erably of graphite or similar self lubricating bearingmaterial,which provides lubricationr for the bearing surface between said bushingand said stud.

The arm |66 is of bent form, as shown in Figure 10, and is provided witha hub |10, .which is bored to 'turn freely upon a shaft ,|12 whichextends through the walls |30 ofthe box-'|20 and is provided withcollars |13.v which are pinned to said shaft |12 to preventendwisemotion thereof. v

Upon this shaft |12 also is mounted a squeeze roll adjustment member |14having an arm |16 and an oppositely'extending arm |18. The arm |16 hasits outer portion |11 formed with respect ishooked into the holes |1|and |19 and connects the lug |69 with the portion |11 of the arm`l16.This spring, in the particular construction being described, is atension spring and tends to rotate the arm |66, carrying'the squeezeroll the angle |83 of the box |20, which screw is prowith.` The screws2|0 and 2|| may be screwed' vided with a lock nut |84 for setting thescrew |82 in the desired adjusted position. It will be apparent from aconsideration of Figures and 11 that as the screw |82 is tur'ned so thatits point travels'inwardly of the box the arm |18 will be positionedtoward the left andthe portion |11 of the arm |18 will be moved to pullon the spring |80 to draw the arm |66 downwardly, thus to move thesqueeze roll |51 against the ink roll y|55. By suitably adjusting theset of the screw |82 greater or less contact pressure may be givenbetween the squeeze roll |51 and the ink roll |55. 'By this means thethickness of the lm carried up by the ink roll |55 may be controlled,the excess ink running back to the pan'l58. 1

In order to transfer the film of ink which is carried by the ink roll|55 after contacting with the squeeze roll |51 I provide the transferroll 180, said roll being vcarried upon a stud |82 havinga threadedshank |84 passing through a hole in the bar |86 and secured thereto bymeans of the nut |88, as shown in Figures 9 and 11. r 'I'he body |8| ofthe transfer roll |80 is provided with' bushing 284 iltted thereto andproviding a running t on a stud |82. Said bushing may be ofself-lubricating material such as graphite bearing material to providelubrication for these sur- Said stud 204 isprovided with a shoulderportion 201 and a flange head 208. The shoulder 201 of said stud 204maybe drawn against the boss 203 of the arm 20| by means of the nut 206,suilicient clearance being provided, however, betweenthe head 208 andsaid boss 203 of the arm 420| to permitsaid bar |88 -freely to pivottherebetween upon stud 204.- f.

As will be seen in Figures 11 and 10 I provide screws 2 ,|0 and 2|| eachpassing through an angle of the'box |20 and arranged so that respectively the arms 20| and-202 contact thereinwardly and outwardly ofthe -box respectively in order to move the transferadiustment member200` in4 a counter clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 10. Bycontrary motionof the `screws, the opposite motion of said transfermember may be effected. Such angular or ro` tary motion of the member200 produces in the member |88l a motion of Vgeneral translationlengthwise of said member |86. As said member |86 carries the transferroll |80 it will be apparent that said roll |80 correspondingly is movedto. the left or right of Y Figure .10. As

Y.the bar |88 is pivoted at its point-of connection to thearm 20|, thetransfer roll |80 is free to rest 'upon the ink roll |55 and does sorest by its weight. Thus it will be clear that as movement oftranslationis given to the bar |86 the transfer roll |80 will move in an arc aboutthe center of. the shaft |22, that is, always incircumferential contactwith the-ink roll |55.

As will. be clear from the description to follow "-151, toward the arm|16. The arm ns of the vsqueeze roll adjustment member against anadjustment screw |82 threaded into.

of the printing member, greater or less contact of said printing memberwith said transfer roll |80 may be produced depending upon the positionof said roll |80 as determined by the set of said screws 2|0 and 2|I.When the desired set of the transfer roll is secured, by means of nuts2|2 and 2|3, these set screws may be fastened in position bearingsolidly against both arms 20| and 202 to hold the bar |88 and thetransfer roll in the desired position.

As shown Ain Figures 9, 10 and 11, upon a shaft 220 journaled' inbearings 222, which are fastened upon angles 224, are mounted printingwith openings 228 therein through which the` printing Wheels 22.6 mayrotate in order to contact the transfer roll-|80 and to receivetherefrom the ink which has been transferred from the ink roll |55. Asthe bearings 228 are fixed lin relation to the box the printing wheels226 revolve in a fixed relation to the box and to the frame of themachine, in view of the support of said box |20, as described above. i

The printing wheel 226 is formed with arhub .230 from which project, inthe particular form illustrated in the drawings, bosses 232.v Saidbosses are formed with their axes radially of the shaft 220 and arethreaded to receive ink point adjustment bushings 234. The bosses 232are substantially of the same radial length and provide surfaces 233normal to the axes of -said bosses 232 against which surfaces lock nuts238 bear to lock the ink point bushings 234 in position and rigidly toholdsaid bushings in relation to the hubs 226. For the purpose of makingthis adjustment the outer end of the ink point bushings 234 is providedwith flats 235, as shown in Figure 12, so that the bushing may beheld bya wrench against turning while the lock `nut 236 is tightened againstthe face ofthe boss 232. Moreover, by turning the bushing 234 in thethreads of the boss 232 the bushing may be screwed inwardlyor outwardlyof said boss, `that is, inwardly toward the axis of the shaft 220, oroutwardly therefrom. A ne adjustment of the position of the bushing may,therefore, be secured.

The bushing 2 34, as may be seen in Figure 12, is hollowand maybeprovided with a smooth fbore in which the printing point 240vmay movewith the flange or collar 24| thereof sliding on thebored surface 231 ofthe bushing 234. The

outer end of thevbushing 234 is provided with a hole 238 somewhatsmaller than the bore 231 of the bushing in order that.V the ange orcollar v24| may v.bear thereagainstto limit the outward movement oftheprinting point 240. 'I'hrough the hole 238 extends a shank 242 of theprinting point 240 of such diameter as freely-to clear the walls ofthehole 238. The shank 242 of the printing pointis provided with a taperedportion 2 43 having a flattened surface 244 of a predetermined diameteror area. This surface 244,

moreover, may be of predetermined shape. .Inl one embodiment`v of theinvention, the shank- 2 42 of the printing point, diiferent forms of the-fturning movement, and at a substantially uniend surface 244 may besecured. The end surface 244 preferably is normal to the` axis of theprinting point 240 and of the bushing 234 and provides the surface tocarry the ink and to contact with the surface of the panel to beprinted. Within the scope of the invention, however, this surface mayb'e of any desired outline and convolution vand placed in any operative-relation to the shaft 220.

At the inner end of the bushing 234 the borel thereof is threaded toreceive a bushing screw 239 which is drilled to receive in slidingrelation to said bushing-fiscrew 239 the spindle 245 of the printingpoint 240. It will be clear from Figure 12 that the printing point 240may move within the bushing 234 in the direction of the axis of saidbushing 234, that is, radially of the` shaft 220. Bymeans of acompression spring 246 bearing against the flange or collar 24| and alsoagainst the bushing screw 239 the printing point 240 is biased to moveoutwardly in a radial direction from-said shaft 220, the 'outwardmovement of said printing point 240 being limited as above stated by theflange 24| lbearing against the end of the bore 23`|v of the bushing234. The printing point 240, however, when pressure is applied inwardlyupon the shank 242 or upon the surface 244 theireof, may be movedinwardly againstthe bias of the spring 246. Thus, as the printing.points are rotated upon rotation of the shaft 220 they may be.broughtinto contact with the under sideof the panels 5 and may pressvthereagainst with a slight vmovement of the printing point 240inwardlytoward the axis of the shaft 220. The spring thus measures thedegree of pressure of each printing point as it cn-V tacts with the faceof the panel 5. This movement may be very slight and only that requiredto releasethe'flange 24| from its`bearing against the end of the bore231. 'In' some cases, how` ever, as when itis desired to indent thesurface of the panel or sheet, with or without concomitant printingthereof, greater movement `may be utilized; also greater or lesspressure may be secured by proper selection of the spring as to itsstrength and resistance under compression. After the surface 244 of theprinting point 240 has Vmoved out of contact with the face of the panel5 said printing point moves outwardly again until flange 24| bearsagainst the louter end of the bushing. l

As the printing points 240, of which four are shown in the illustratedembodiment of the invention, are spaced about the axis of the shaft 220they are moved successively into contact with the face of the panel 5.Thusfupon the under face of the panel 5 may be vprinted a series ofmarks or dots lengthwise o f the motion of the panel past the printingdevice. Uniform spacingof these dots will be secured if uniform motionis given t'o the panel 5, the printing points 240, as shown in Figure10, being spaced uniformly about the shaft '220, 'and if also said.shaft 220 is given a substantially uniform.motion in relation tothemovement of the panel 5. As

has been described above, substantial uniform motion of the panel 5 'maybe secured by the positive drive of the rollers I and 8.

In orderto secure apositive drive of the shaft 220, upon one end thereofis mounted a chain gear 250 connecting by chain 25| from a chain gear252 upon the shaft |22. As has been stated above, the shaft |22 ispositively connected to the driving apparatus of the fabricating end ofthe plaster board machine and thus a positive form speed, may be securedfor the shaft 220.'

While in'most cases, in the application of the invention to the markingof plaster boards and wall boards, a luniform spacing of the marks inalignment is preferable, in some cases it may be desired to securepredetermined spacings which are not equal. In such case, by interposinga variable speed device or a device effecting a dwell between the motionof the shaft |22, and the shaft 220 or by replacing the drive belt |26by apparatus forvarying the speed or causing dwell, a non-uniformspacing of the dots in a predewith constant and uniform delivery' of thepanel in relation to the printing device as a whole.

It will be clear to those skilled in the art that by adjusting thebushings 234 in the bosses 232,

termined relation to each other may be secured for example by the useofsuitable gauges,` the surfaces 244 of the printing points 240 may allbe gauged to a lsubstantially constant distance f from the axis of theshaft 220. 'I'hus all of said.

order properly to apply the ink upon said sur'- faces 244 the transferroll |90 may be adjusted by means of the screws 2|0 and 2||, asv abovedescribed, to roll upon the ink roller |55 untilv the surface ofthetransfer roll `touches the l surfaces 244 as the printing wheel y22|; isrevolved.

. surfaces 244 may bear with substantially uniform pressure upon thefaceof the panel 5. In

toward the left, the transfer roll |90 may be` moved into closer contactwith the surfaces 244 of the printing points, said roll |90 being movedby the bar |96 as it is moved by the rotation of the member 200 upon theshaft |`|2I A fine adjustment of the parts thus may be secured so that afine control of the amount of ink applied to the printing point surfaces244 is thus ob'- tained. This feature of the invention insures, forexample, that the amount of ink applied to the face of the panel isadequate for making Aa mark which is discernible but avoids theapplication of mk in excess so that, inconsideration of the diameter orsurface area of the surface 244 of the printing points 240, said marksmay be inconspicuous upon the panel. This is of advantage in securing asurface of the panel which is inconspicuously marked in the desiredrelation to its edges and therefore which. may/be used without -beingcovered by covering materials or by several coats of paint.

In Figure 10 is shown lthe roll' |02 referred to above in thedescription in connection with Figure 1, which roll is mountedso as tobe above-4 bear thereon only suiiiciently to prevent upward The panel 5is carried upon said belts |0, as described above and passes under theroller |02 which need movement of. the panel 5. In order to secure theproper adjustment of circumferentialcontact of lthe roll |02 `withtheupper face of the panel 5 as it moves on the belts I0, as shown YinFigure 13 screw 2601s threaded in angle 26|A which may be part ofthesupporting frame and bears against the shaft or rod 4 of the roller|02. As said shaft 4 is inserted in the slot |06, as described 45` theink roll to the shaft |22.

lo many cases, however, particularly with -plaster boards which are ofsufficient weight in themselves to rest upon the belts |l and to becarried forward therewith while supported by the rollers 8 Withoutsubstantial slip or displacement in relation to said belts I0, theroller |02 may be liftedv out of contact with the panel 6.

As shown in Figure'9 the lnk .roll |55 is constructed with-a hub 210having a disc 21 i, cast or formed integral therewith or otherwisesecured to said hub 210, provided with an annular portion 212 which islturned upon its outer face 213 concentric with the shaft |22. Saidannular portion 212 is provided with bosses. 214 drilled to receivebolts 215, which, with nuts 216, serve to hold annular member 218 uponthe annular portion 212 of the ink roll |55. Said annular memberl 218has the inner surface 219 turnedto fit the outer surface 213 of theannular portion 212 of the ink roll.|55. Clearance is provided betweenthe part 280 of the annular member 218 and the annular portion 212 ofthe disc 21| so that said annular member y218 may move'upon the annularportion v212 of the ink roll |55, thus toclamp between r the face 211 ofthe disc 21| and the face 28| of the annular member 218, a ring 283.

. Said vring is formed to fit upon the surface 213 of the annularportion 212 and is of such outside diameter that vthe outercircumference thereof extends somewhat beyond the outer circumferencesof the disc 21| and of the annular member 218. Thus, the ring 283 may besecurely held in place and its circumference positioned concentric 'withthe axis of the shaft |22, the hub 210 being provided with a set screw284 to secure By means of the ring 283 -a hard, smooth surface is thussecured against which the squeeze roll 51 may act to determine thethickness of\the film of ink which' is to be delivered to the transferroll |90. Said ring 283 may be made of steel and the disc 21| and theannular member 218 may be madeof cast iron. Other materials, however,may be utilized in the construction of this ring and of these parts inorder to secure a hard smooth, preferably nontively hard, smoothsurface. This roll, being relativ'ely small and-of simple construction,may readily be replaced when worn. The ring 288, as

351 will be seen from the construction described and ,shownfinFigure 9,may b e removed and reground or replacfxlwhen wornlor if it becomespitted due to contact with the ink. vReplacement ofthe remainder of theassembly` thus may be avoided and the relationship of the parts to theshaft |22 may be maintained. Ingeneral. the materials used for the'ring'283 and the squeeze roll |51 are such as to provide hard. smooth 75contact surfaces so that the filmA of ink may be resilient,circumferential surface of the ring 283 and to hold said-ring in rigidconcentric relationv )more accurately controlled by the lsetting `-ofthe parts as described.

` As shown also in Figure 9 the transfer rulli has attached to orintegral with the bodyportionr |9| a flange portion |93. The bodyportion|9| clampingmember of annular form |91 has an inner surface|99'turned to fit the surface |95;

The portion ofthe member |91 nearer the axisv is formed to provideclearance between itself and vthe body`|9| of the transfer roll |90 andis held thereto by bolts 290 and nuts 29|. Between the flange |93 andthe member of annular form |91 is clamped by means of'said bolts 290 aring 293,

.preferably of suchA composition, for example rub-V ber, as to provide aslight resiliency especially at the circumferential surface thereof forcontacti with the surface 244 of the printing point 240 upon theprintingwheel 226. vAs will be understood from 'the above description, themember of annular form |91 isl removable .from the body |9| of thetransfer roll. This ring 293 thus readily may be replaced when thesurface thereof becomes damaged or deteriorates with use. Thus thecircumferential surface of this ring may be maintained concentric withthe axis of the stud different printing points 242 should be not exactlyand accurately made, the slightly resilient Vsurface of the ring 293permits thepoints 242 to indent slightly the ring 293 without harmfullcumferential movement of .the printing points 242, may occur withoutserious wear producing friction as this action will be substantiallyies-v sened with the resilient material. Thus wear, tending to causedeformation of the surface 244 of the printing points 242, is avoided orminimized.

In the particular embodiment of the invention described and illustratedin the drawings a resilient material such as rubber is-used for the ring298, which material also has been selected because of its capacity forproviding upon the circumferential surface of the ring 293 a surfacehaving the desired capillary action with respect to the ink in order toeffect transfer of the lnk from the ink roll to itself and from itselfIto the surface 244 of the printing points .242. In somev cases,however,-'I may utilize other materials for said ring 293 which willprovide this capillary effect. For example, I may use metals or otherhard or semihard materials leaving the surface thereof so turned orground or grooved or otherwise finished Yas to provide the capillaryaction which will cause'the ink to be picked up V'may be produced beingformed o'n metallic or other hard materials, by machining or grinding orgrowing- In order to secure the Aparts in their proper.

operating relations, upon the shaft |12 are pinned collars l300 toprevent endwisel motion of thel members 200, |56 and |14 whilepermitting rotation of-saidmelnbers upon the shaft |12. As

statedabove the ink rolls-|55 maybe reset in different-positions .alongthe shaft |22 in order to position the vprinting pointsin diierentrelations to the guide I5 so as to effect printing of -the marksin-dierent positions upon the panel 5 in relation to the lateral edgethereof. Similarly the members Iii,r |14 and 200 together withthesqueeze rolls |51 and thetransierrolls |90 and the auxiliary partsassociated therewith, may

be reset in different positions along the shaft |12, the pins being setin different holes in the shaft |12 or other means being adapted to holdsaiJd members and parts in proper relation to the ink. rolls |55 and toeach other. In some cases, as suggested above, it may be necessarytolmodify or replace top plate 228 andthe bottom plate |33l and alsotorelocate Vthe ink pans |58 andthe parts associated therewith. Theprinting wheels 226 correspondingly may be reset on 4the shaft 220.v y

In Figure 9 may be seen the splash pan. or shield 3|0 having a sloping.end 3| l. This pan is of such form as to surround the ink roll |55 andto extend up to the lower part of the squeeze roll |51 and of thetransfer roll |90. This;pan.

or shield intercepts any ink thrown`out by the ink roll |55 as' itrevolvesand anydrip of ink from the three'rollsand returns itto. the inkpan |58. 'I'hus the mechanism is maintained clean and the ink isconiined to the parts which are intended to carry it upward incontrolled amount to the surfaceito be printed. It will be clear fromthe'above description that the movement of the ink toward said surfaceis against the action of gravity anda dripand splash arecaused'tofmoveaivvay4 'from said surface and the parts which immediatelycontact therewith. In

dotted Outline in Figuresf9, 10 and 1 1 is shown'a` cover 3|3 which maybe removed when the printing apparatus istobe used and whenv in placewill protect the printing mechanism from dirt and damage. v

" While in the 'above explanation the squeeze rolls I 51 and thetran'sferrolls |90 are described as turning by friction upon the inkvroll |55, these rolls may` bedriven by suitable gearing or other powertransmitting device, for example, from the vshaft |22. As an example ofone such drivea chain may'pass over a gearfastened upon the Ashaft|22and over a gear fastened to the trans- -fer roll |90.' As the transferroll |90 may be moved in 'a 'circle about the axis of the'shaft .|22

a-constant center line distance maybe obtained between such gears.Similar drive may be arranged for the squeeze roll |51. Suchvmodifications may be made within the scope of the invention. I

While the invention has `been described above in its embodiment in'anapparatus for printing' wall board or plaster board, the apparatuslembodying the features described or with modifications whichwill beevident to those skilled in the art, may be utilized in printingothersheet materials without departing from the spirit of theinvention.v Moreover, while'certain `of the details jof constructionabove described 'constitute vfeasi'fures .of/the invention, within thescope of the invention other detailed constructions maybe utilized inorder to carry out the method'of the invention and the operations oi'feeding the panel t or the sheet in predetermined alignment with theprinting device and of securing a predetermined lmotion Vof the printingdevice in relation to the sheet so asto securethe desired alignment ofthe mark or of a series of marks or dots in relation both to the lateraledge of the sheet and in spaced relation lengthwise of the sheet. Thedetails of mechanical constructionI also may be modified as to the typeof materials. utilized or.

the particular arrangement of the parts while maintaining the featuresof the invention which provide for easy replacement of the wearingparts. thel action and` relation of the parts and their means ofadjustment. All, such ymodifications are within the `scope of theyinvention Vandare intended to be vcovered by the claims. Having thusdescribed my invention I claim: l. Apparatusl for marking a sheet ofpredetermined'surface dimensions comprising means vmotion being soconstructed and arranged in relation to said marking means as to actsubstantially throughout said motion of the sheet in .said selecteddirection to determine the position of said sheet in relation to saidmarking means. f n

l2. Apparatus for marking a sheet having a substantially rectilinear`edge comprising means for simultaneously moving said sheet in thegenerar direction vof. said edge and also laterally thereof, said meansbeing positively actuated and substantially controlling the rate ofmovement in' thedirection of said edge and positively biasing saidsheetto move laterally of said edge,

means so` positioned and constructed that said edge ofthe sheet may bearthereagainst and to limit the movement of said sheet under said bias,and means for marking the surface of said' sheet actuated in positiverelation to said vpositively actuated moving means, said means forlimiting the bias movement being so constructed and arranged in relationtosaid marking means as to determine the 'position of said sheet inrelation to said markingl means substantially u throughout the markingaction of said marking means, whereby said-mark is made upon! the sheetin a 'predetermined relation to fsaid edge.

3. Apparatus for marking a sheet `having a substantiallyrectilinear-edge comprising means for simultaneously moving said sheet in thegeneral direction ofi s aid edge and also laterally thereof, said meansAbeing'ipositively actuated and substantiallycontrolling the rate. ofmovementin the direction of said edge andpositively biasing said sheetto, move laterally of said edge, means so'positioned and constructedthat said edge of the sheet may bear thereagainstv to rlimitthe/movement of said sheet ,under said bias, andl f means formarking thesurface of said sheet actuated in positive relation to said positivelyactuatedmoving means, .said marking means being so lpositioned withrespect to said means for limiting the vbias movementfthat said. mark ismade upon the sheet in a predetermined relation to said dge, said meansfor. limiting the bias movement of the sheet being so as` thesheet,.said means being so constructed and arranged as also -positivelyto bias said panel to l.

move in the direction laterally outwardly vof the panel from said edge,-guide means positioned in the patlr of said lateral motion andsoconstructed that said edge bearing thereagainst is in a positionlaterally displaced in excessof said variation laterally of saiddelivery/said guide means being constructed' with a part movable in thedirection of' said edge of the panel and' capable of being so moved bythe -panel when the edge thereof is ,in contact with said part, andmeans for making a mark upon the surface.

. of said/panel, said marking means being sc constructed andarrangedwith respect to said guide means -that said rnarlrjisl made upon thevpanel 'in a predetermined relation tosaid edge thereof,said markingmeans being actuated in a .posif tive-'relation to s'aid means formoving the panel in the direction Vof said-edge thereof so as re''peatedly to contact said panel to. produce thereon a series of marks inpredetermined spaced relation in-said general direction f said edge.

-5. Apparatus for feeding a sheet of material having a substantiallyrectilinear edge comprising means including a' roller for contacting theface of said sheet'in substantially positive driving contact, `saidroller being arranged generally transversely of said edge of: the sheetbut skewed in relation to motion thereofA parallel to said edge, wherebyupon rotation of the roller saidsheet is caused to move generallyparallel to said edge but also to' be biased to movelaterally of saidedge, guide means positioned w re-l ceive the contact' of said edge uponla movement of the Ysheet intoa predetermined laterally to said edge andproviding a bias resisting con tact surface for said edge of the sheetto maintain alignment of the mot'io'n thereof parallel 4 ofpredetermined linear form comprising means for moving said sheetgenerally in the direction like-extending 'withV said edge, and meansfor guiding said sheet to move'in `said directiomsaid guiding meansincluding a plurality of rolls ary ranged to provide an effectivelycontinuous bearing for said edge ol the sheet and having the pe-vripheries thereof tangentin common to a line par? allel to the desired-line of motion of the sheet. lsaidgrolls being so mounted as`to becapable of rotating on their axes so that .the peripheriesA movetangentially to said common line.

.7. Apparatus as described i'n claim 6 in which tuntedonbearingasaidbearingl y hemmrem`nie-mlultimativen;feeaingthesheetinthedif being constructed to turnupon an axis' to which WIVtheaxis'of the roll is eccentric.

8. Apparatus for feeding a sheet having anvedge of predetermined linearform yfor moving saidsheet generally in thedirection.y

like-extending with said' edge. and meansI for guidingsaid sheet to movein said direction, said guiding means including a plurality of rolls anda band moving in circumferential contact therewith. said rolls beingsumcient in number and being arranged so as 'to provide an Veffectivelyerm.-v tinuous support for said band to receive the bearing ofsaidedgeof the. sheet, against said band marking device. means for moving saidsheet to' ward said marking device"v generally in' the direction of saidedge, said moving-means simultane- 'ously acting to bias said sheet tomove flaterally of said edge, and guiding means in the path of saidlateral motion of the sheet,'said *guidingv means being positioned toreceive thel bearing of said edge of the sheet upon movement thereofinto-a predetermined lateral 'position to limit the further lateralmovementof the sheet. said guiding means comprising an endless bandpassingfin- 4peripheral contact with a plurality of rolls mounted toturn upon axes transverse to the piane of lateral mo-l tion of thesheet, whereby the face of the band forms a continuous surfacetransversely'ofsaid plane of lateral motion of thefsheet,` the mounting'of said rolls beingso constructed that'the rolls' may be moved in adirection generally parallel to the plane of saidllateral motion of.th'e sheet, said rolls beingsuilicient in number to bring theface ofthe band intocontactl with said edge of predetermined llinear form ofthe sheet substantially throughout the length of said edge in saidpredetermined lateral position. said rollabcing mounted to turnontheiraxes andtofc'arry the bsndin a predetermined line ofl motion whencontact of` said edge-of the with said band is made, whereby said sheetis given' a pred eter'` Amined motion with to device.

l0, Apparatus for producing wall board com- 45 i displaced position wdmme mms comp s in the general direction of one of the edges of the apartm'ovable in the direction generally parallel w u henny mm d d mmm dfeeding the panels and' arranged with the circumf erences thereofsubstantially tangential to a hor prising means for feeding panels ofthe wall board panel, a plurality of rollers turning upo'nhorisonisontal plane to take thebearlng'of a face of the panels, saidrollers having their axes skewed in the horizontal plane so as to causevsaid panels also to move4 laterally of'-v said feeding motion. .a con-'tinuom band mounted to move in peripheralcontactwithapluralityofrollasaidmllsbeingar-'rsngedtoturnuponverncalaxesandlieingsoset and being infsuch numberthatsaid handis sup-- ported thereby throughout a substantial ,Portion ofits length in'a straight line parallelto apredetermlned line -of motiongenerally like-extending with the direction 'of said feed motionsaidband f and said vrolls being so mound with respect'..to

.the plane of the panel-that by-saidlateral-movement thereof said edgeofthe'panel is moved to bear against tbefaee of said band throughouta isubstantialportion of thelengthoflaid edge. and

a positively driven belt arranged in contwtwithnlessewedronm... j

l1. Apparatus for marking a sheetcomprising rection of one of itssurface means vrotating upon an axis parallel to a\face of 'the sheetand providing a markingelement'i'oron 2,084,319 tacting the face of themoving sheet in each rotay tion of said rotating means, and means foreffecting rotation of said rotating means in a predetermined relationtothe movement of said feeding means to c e'said'marking elementrepeatedly v to contact thesheet to make thereon a plurality of marks inpredetermined spaced relationv in the direction -of said dimension ofthe sheet.

12. In-a printing devicea printing element, and means for yieldinglysupporting said printing element to move in a predetermined path, saidsupporting means being constructedfor adjustment of the position of saidelement with respect tothe surface -to be printed without modifying therelation of the parts providing the yielding action. 13. In a printingdevice, a printing element, means for supporting said printing elementin printing relation toa surface to be printed, means providing foryield of said printing element upon contact thereof with said surface,and rmeans for guiding s'aid printing element in its yielding movement,said guiding means being adjustable with respect to said supportingmeans to predetermine ,the relation of said element to said surface.

14. In a printing device, a rotating rnemberfa printing element mountedadjacent the periphery of said rotating member, said rotating memberbeing so positioned in relation` to the surface to be printed that saidprinting element may contact said surface upon rotation of said rotatingmember, means providing for yielding movement -of said printing elementinv a predetermined rela- -tion to said rotating member upon contact ofsaid printing element with the surface tobe printed, and means foradjusting the contact vrelation of said element to said surface to beprinted without modifying the relation of the parts providing theyielding movement.

15.' In a printing device,` a rotating member, a

printing element mounted adjacent the periphery of said rotating member,said rotating member being so positioned in relation' to the surface tobe printed that said printing element may contact `said surface uponrotation of'said rotatingwmember, means providing for yielding movementof said`printing; element in a predetermined relation to said rotatingmember upon contact of-saidprinting velement with the surface tobe'printed,

means for restoring'said printing element to its initial position luponrotation thereof out of conltact with the surface to be printed, landmeans for determining' thecontactv relation of said element vindependently of the operation of said restoring means.

. 16.A Inua printing device, a member mounted to rotate upon` an axis,aprinting element,`said printing element vbeing movablev in relation tosaid member outwardly of and inwardly toward rotate upon an axis, asocket mounted on the .periphery ofsaid hub, a printing element slidablein said socket inthe directions towardv and outwardly of said axisandhaving a printing sur- -said bias means.

13 face at the outer end thereof.. a spring in said socket and actingupon said printing element to bias it to move outwardly from said axis,means for limiting the outward movement of said printing element in saidsocket, and means independent of said limiting'means for adjusting' thebias of said spring, said hub being so mounted in relation element maybe moved against its bias while said outer surfacev thereof contactswith said sirface to be printed and thereafter may be restored to itsoutwardly biased position. r

"to the surface tothe-printed that-said printing 18. In a printingdevice,aninlro11er, a squeeze i roll in circumferential rolling contactwith said ink roller, and adjustable means vfor Vsecuring apredetermined pressure of contact between sai roller and said roll.

` 19. In a printing device, an ink roller mounted to turn upon an axis,asqueeze roll, means `movable in relation to said axis and carrying saidsqueeze roll, said'means being so pivotally ar-l ranged that said rollmaybe moved into circum-A :ferential rolling contact vwith said inkroller,

means to bias said. pivotally arranged movable means to move said rollinto contact with said roller and to pressthe circumferential surface ofsaid rollupon the circumferential surface of said roller, and means foradjusting said pressure to a predetermined amount. l

20. In a printing device, an ink roller mounted to turn on an axis, anarm mounted to pivot upon an axis fixed in relation to the' axis of saidroller, a squeeze roll mounted uponY said armat a .point removed .fromthe pivotal axis thereof, said arm and said roll being of suchproportions and being positioned in such relation to said ink rollerthat the circumferential surface of Asaid squeeze roll may contact withthe circumferential s surface of said ink roller upon pivotal movementof said arm, an adjustment member pivoted upon an axis generallylike-extending with theaxls .of said arm, means connecting said arm withsaid adjustment member, and means for limiting pivotal motion of saidadjustment member upon its axis to adJust the-contact relation of saidsqueeze roll upon said ink roller. f

21. A printing device according to claim 20 in which .said connectingmeans includes means to bias said arm to move in relation to saidadjustment member to' cause contact of said squeeze vroll with said inkroller, said means for Hunting the pivotal motion .of the adjustmentmeans being adjustableto control thepressure of said squeeze roll uponsaidinkroller produced by 22.- Ina printing device, an ink roller, meansfor applying acoating-ofink upon the circumferential surface of saidroller, a rotating printing member having a printing surface -invperipheral relationjto the axisv of rotation thereof, an ink transferroll, and'lmeaus for so supporting said transfer roll'that the -surfacethereof may make continuous ink transferring y'contact with portingmeans being so constructed and arranged as to position said transferroll with lts circumferential surface substantially Atangent to the pathof said printing surface as' it rotates about the axis of said printingmember and so as to bearin ink transferring vcontact againstsaidprinting surface while maintaining said contin'-` uous 'ink transferring'contact with said ink roller.

23; A printing device as in 'claim 22 in which themeans for supportingythe ink transfer roll the coated surface of said ink roller, said sup-'transferring contact to set said ink'transfer roller in inktransferring circumferentially thereof. an inktransfer roll,

contact with theprinting surface of the printing member.

25. In a printing device.v an ink roller, a rotating printing memberhaving a printing surface an adjustment 'member pivoted upon an axissubstantially parallel to the axis of rotation of said ink roller. alink pivotally connected to said adjustment member V(at a point removedfrom said pivoting axisl of said member and so as to move upon saidpivotal connection ,to said member in -a plane generally transverse tosaid axes, said.

link at a point thereon removed from its pivotal connection to saidadjustment member carrying 'said ink transfer rolll upon an axisgenerally par- "allel to the axis of said ink roller and'with thecircumferential surface of 'said transfer roll in rolling contact withthe circumferential surface -of said ink miler, said printing memberbeing h positioned in the path of said ltransfer roll as it j is movedinto different positions of rolling. con- `Atact with said ink roller.and means-for adjusting the position of said adjustment member to yposition the transfer. roll in said path so that .its

circumferential surface may bear upon the printing surface of saidprinting member in ink transferring contact.

26. A printing device an arm. and comprising means for adjustablysetting said arm in dinerent positions about the axis of said adjustmentmember to set saidtrans-l fer roll in said ink transferring contact.

2'I.In a printing device. a structure carrying a printing element, meansfor supporting said structure with said printing element in printingcon- Atactwiththesurfacetobeprinted.'andmeans fr drivin 'slid println'element' 50131189 printing contact with said surface, said supportingmeans including means to effect support of said structure with theprinting element out of contact with said surface to be printed,- saidksupporting means beingsoarranged withrespecttov said driving means as tomaintain driving connection to said printing element in both positionsof said structure. 28. In a printing device, a-structure carrying.printing element'. means-for supporting said structure arranged topivot upon. an axis odset from said structure. means providing bearingsupport for said pivoted means at a point. removed from said axis.whereby rotation thereof under the weight of said structure isprevented, -said bearing support being constructed to provide bearingfor said pivoted means to hold said structure with said printing elementin contact with the surface to be printed and also to provide bearingfor amember of said pivoted means arranged to contact therewith to holdsaid printing element out i .er contact with msm-:eee to be printed.

29. .Apparatus for marking a sheet comprising means-for effectingmovement of R19-M u1.

a,oe4i,s1o

the direction of one of itsl surface dimensions.

A y according 'to emm as is v which the adjustment member is -providedwith` face of the sheet .while said sheet is means for making a markupon the surface of the sheet while .moving in said direction, saidmarking means including a rotating member,a printing element mounted4adjacent' the periphery of said rotating member. said rotating'memberbeing so positioned in relation to the surface of the sheet that saidprinting element contacts said surface of Vthe moving sheet uponrotation vof said printing member.' means adjustable with respect tosaid rotating member and providing a A guide for yielding movement ofsaid printing element with respect to said rotating member upon econtact of said-printing element with said sur-l face of the sheet, andmeans for positively rotating said rotating memberl in a predeterminedrelation tothe movement of the sheet.

30. Apparatus for feeding sheet material com prising. a plurality ofrollers turning'upon axes extending generally transversely of thedirection of feeding the sheet and arranged with .the circumferencesthereof substantially tangential to said direction of feeding the sheetto take the bearing of the face of-,the sheet. a. positively` drivenbelt arranged successively to vengage said rollers for positivelyturning said rollers on their axes, and idler pulleys intermediate someof said rollers adjustably arranged to engage said belt to hold saidbelt in engagement with adjacent .rollers to modifythe driving contactwith said adjacent rollers.. v

3i. Apparatus. according to claim/80 in' which said idler pulleys arearrangedsto be individually A adjustable in relation to said rollers.

32. Apparatus according to claim 30 in which means are providedconnecting a plurality of said idler pulleys land arranged forsimultaneous adjustment thereof with respect to said rollers uponactuation of said means.

as. Appena according' to' claim .so .in which' mim beit is formed as anendless belt with s stretch thereof passing between said rollers andsaid pulleys, and means lfor adjusting the tensioninsaidbelttomodifyincommonthedriving contact ofv ma benvwltn saisplurality of' rena-nl and 34. Apparatus for marking a sheet comprisingmeansforfeedingthesheetintheplaneofits extent, means positioned beneathsaid plane ofv the sheet and providing a marking element arranged formarking contact with the lower face of saidmoving sheet. means beneathsaid sheetv providing .a suppl! of marking fluid out. of contact withsaid marking element, means for transferring marking fluid to.saidmarking-element, and

35. Apparatus for marking a sheet having a lateral edge comprising meansforpositivsly effectingfmovement of said sheet laterally of .and` alsoin the direction gen said lateral edge. means for limiting said lateralmotion of thesheet while moti mo said direction like extending with midedge and limited against motion 'laterally of said edge. means forpositively effecting movement lof sheet being arranged in relation tosaid said edge during the marking action of said markmeans upon saidsheet.

